Blakeslee Cartridge Box for Spencer Rifle & Carbine
by Tom Roiser and Mike Mahoney
Cavalry model of the Blakeslee Cartridge box, 10-tube variety which would have carried 70 bullets. 
In an effort to further increase the firepower advantage of the Spencer Carbines and Rifles, a few Blakeslees were issued in a 6-tube variety (scarce today), in a more common 10-tube type and in very limited quantities in a 13-tube variety. The Spencer rifles and carbines were loaded through a tubular magazine accessed from the butt of the stock. A tube from the Blakeslee Cartridge Box holding 7 cartridges would be dumped into the magazine, filling it to capacity. They were an effective aid in speeding the loading process during combat.
Invented by Colonel Erastus Blakeslee of Plymouth, Connecticut, they were first issued to his unit, the 1st Connecticut Cavalry in 1864 and saw limited use through the balance of the Civil War and into the Indian Wars. This box marked on the face "BLAKESLEE CARTRIDGE BOX" over "U.S." and "Patented Dec. 20, 1864" and in large text "E.GAYLORD”, and in small text “Chicopee Mass." 
This is a great box with solid leather, stitching and spring-loaded top. It retains 6 original and correct tubes. One carrying strap tab on the side is intact and the front one missing. There is a name etched into the leather on the top of the box, but I can't make it out. It is perhaps not surprising to find boxes with missing tubes. Try to imagine during the heat of battle taking the time to slide empty tubes back in place after loading. No, of course you would naturally just drop or toss it aside and resume shooting. Extra tubes can be found on the loose occasionally at Civil War shows.
Thanks to Tom Roiser for the great photos
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